Survivor's Remorse

Also returning to the Starz network for a second season this summer ("Power" is the other, and its season 2, which premiered last month, is a;ready several episodes in) is the dramedy series “Survivor’s Remorse,” from executive producer LeBron James.

The sophomore season of the half-hour scripted comedy will feature 10 episodes this time – up from its 6-episode first season.

“Survivor’s Remorse" follows Cam Calloway, played by Jessie T. Usher, a basketball phenom in his early 20’s who is suddenly thrust into the limelight after signing a multi-million dollar contract with a professional basketball team in Atlanta. Cam, along with his cousin and confidant Reggie Vaughn, played by RonReaco Lee, move to Georgia to start Cam’s journey to success. The two confront the challenges of carrying needy family members and their strong ties to the impoverished community that they come from. Cam, Reggie and an unforgettable group of characters wrestle with the rewards and pitfalls of stardom, love, and loyalty. 

The cast includes Mike Epps, Tichina Arnold, Teyonah Parris, and Erica Ash.

Starz has now set the series’ return date for August 22 at 9:30pm.

By the way, announced a week ago, LeBron James continues to shore-up his post-NBA business life, with his production company, SpringHill Entertainment, partnering with Warner Bros. Entertainment, in what was called "an unprecedented agreement spanning all areas of content creation." The deal will see James’ creative footprint touch all areas of the Studio, with plans for projects in television, film and original digital content. 

A first full trailer for season 2 of "Survivor’s Remorse" has surfaced (featuring an appearance by James) has been released and is embedded below. I must say, the "Fuck Nelson Mandela" comment rattled me. I certainly didn’t see that coming. Obviously I don’t know in what context the exclamation was made, nor what the specific scene in which the words are said, is about; but, really, I don’t know if there’s any context in which I would so readily and emphatically say "Fuck Nelson Mandela!" The character is immediately reprimanded by those around him – at least that’s what it looks like – suggesting a collective rejection of the outburst. But it appears that "Survivor’s Remorse" wants to have its own "Barbershop" moment. Recall the public uproar over the scene in which the character played by Cedric the Entertainer goes on a rant about Rosa Parks not deserving the credit she’s received over the years for the Montgomery bus boycott, because, as he proclaimed, "Rosa Parks didn’t do nothing but sit her black ass down."

Or maybe I’m just getting old and grumpy.